Williams earned All-American as a freshman at the 2003 NCAA indoor meet |
1. You earned All-American honors in the high jump by finishing in a tie for third by clearing 7'01.50". Only a freshman as well, were you surprised at your early success at NC State this season?
I knew, coming in, that I was going to make an immediate impact here at State. In the past I have risen to the occasion for big meets and knew I could do well at meets such as NCAA's and the ACC championships. However, getting third place in the NCAA indoor meet this year was a surprise to me. As the indoor season progressed it became more realistic getting such high honors already in my career here a State.
2. With a leap of 7'03", you also finished fourth at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica over the summer. How has the experience of competing at the international level helped you so far this season?
Competing in Kingston was amazing. It was the greatest atmosphere that I have ever competed in. There was a preliminary round to make the finals. It took a jumped of 2.18, 7' 1.75", a PR at the time, just get into the finals. I believe 15 people made the finals. A day later I came back for the finals and ended up jumping 2.21, 7' 3". Finishing fourth at this meet I realized I was ready for any competition anywhere. There were people in the crowd literally booing you for being an American. Coming into college the transition has been very smooth because of this meet and other big time meets.
3. Some of your high school accolades includes the National Championship in the outdoor high jump in 2002, Penn Relays Champion in 2002 and a three-time North Carolina state champion. Of all the honors, what sticks out in your mind as the best accomplishment?
The Adidas meet, the unofficial High National Championships, is held here in Raleigh every year. This win for me was huge because it was not only in front of a home town crowd but was also at the time at my future school North Carolina State University. I also won over some stiff competition, now national High School record holder Andra Manson and Mike Morrison.
4. Also placing fifth in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the long jump at your state high school meet, will we expect you to give more attempts at the 400 meter hurdles and long jump this season or will you just focus on the high jump?
I love competing in other events. I started long jumping last year for fun and did well for the few meets that I entered. I think I will defiantly be competing in this event. As far as the 400H I give mad props to those people that can do that. I hardly lasted the in the 300H I can't imagine what 400H would be like. For now I am going to settle down and start with other events possibly late this outdoor season or wait until next year.
5. You didn't have to travel far to decide where you wanted to enroll in school since you are from Raleigh, North Carolina. Was being able to be close to home a major factor in your decision to enroll at NC State?
Definitely. Being close to home and my mother was a major part of me staying here in Raleigh. I love the coaches here, Coach Olson the jumps coach here at State and Coach Geiger the head coach. They did a great job in recruiting and I am very happy with my decision now. I was very confused at the time while going through the recruiting process but finally made the right decision.
6. The ACC has a number of other great jumpers, such as Adam Shunk of North Carolina and Terrance McDaniel of Clemson, who you have competed against. How important is it to have other high jumpers of your caliber around you to help you compete and jump higher?
It is great being in the conference with these guys. Adam and Terrance are both great competitors and we all push each other along. Adam and I seemed to compete against each other at least every other weekend. He is that guy that has beaten me up pretty good having lost to him countless times in the season. I think that the outdoor season will be much different. I feel confident that things are going to go my way for outdoors. I have a lot of making up to do but I know I can do it.
7. Now that the outdoor season is here, what would you like to accomplish overall?
The conference meet is here in Raleigh this year and would be a great win to have. Now having regionals I would like to get top three in the region (wow our region is going to be deep this year isn't it Joe?) and finish top three in the NCAA's would be the icing on the cake. Also I want to jump 2.26, 7' 5". Note that these are my conservative goals of course. Haha. With an event like the high jump you really never know what is going to happen and that's why its so much fun.
8. What are some of the more important factors you have learned so far this year after your first as a collegiate student-athlete?
School is though. I really have to work hard. Some of the classes I am taking stress me out but I have managed to just buckle down and do the work when it has to be done. Some friends and I try to go to study hall as much as possible to keep on a consistent schedule so that we can get the right amounts of sleep at night. It's a tough thing to do but it easier when someone goes with you.
9. There is a two-month gap between the ACC Outdoor Championships and the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Do you think it will be difficult for you to try and adjust to peak at the right time for both meets given the large gap?
I am not going to try and peak for the ACC meet. I am going to take off a little for that week before like I did for indoor and things will work out great. I know that coach Olson has everything planned out on what I am going to be doing exactly.
10. What are some of the more explosive plyometric activities and lifts you work on in the weight room to help you perform to your best in the high jump?
In high school I lifted weights but I was a featherweight literally squatting about 135 at best. Now I have moved up to the lightweight division. Being a 6' 1" 155 pound frame I feel a lot stronger than last year. I know am pretty darn skinny but believe it or not I have put on a couple of pounds since high school. I have put a lot of emphasis in weight lifting. I naturally like doing plyos, jumping over hurdles and doing hurdle hops so this is also a vital part of many of my workouts.
11. NC State is in a ring of colleges in the area of the state that includes Duke, North Carolina and Wake Forest. What is the college atmosphere like in the area?
I was brought up here in Raleigh and really don't know anything else. We have an NHL team now but college sports rule in the state of North Carolina. College basketball is huge and football is a very close second in my opinion. I personally like football having played it in high school better than basketball.
12. What do you enjoy the most about being a student-athlete at NC State?
Most importantly I get along with everyone on the team here. This is very important because it makes practice fun even when we are working hard. Plus my mother is close to where I stay so she is there whenever I need her. Also my high school, Brought High, is literally two miles down the street. Quite a few of my friends form high school come here for school and I am able to hang out with them when I need a break from track.